Method and apparatus for electrically destroying a syringe needle of a pen-type hypodermic syringe

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for sterilizing and destroying a syringe needle includes a rotating needle carriage that receives a needle in a loading position. The needle carriage includes a port sized to accept a pen-type hypodermic syringe and an insert to downsize the port for accepting a conventional hypodermic syringe. The needle carriage is rotated downwardly to a cut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contact blades pinch the needle, which electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of a battery. Current flows through the contact blades to shear the needle. The sheared portion of the needle then falls into a waste compartment in the bottom of the apparatus. When the syringe is removed from the needle carriage, the needle carriage rotates upwardly and returns to the loading position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for destroying theneedle portion of a syringe. In particular, the present inventionrelates to a method and apparatus that heats, sterilizes and severs theneedle portion of a pen-type hypodermic syringe after the needle hasbeen used on a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The threat of infectious diseases, in particular AIDS and hepatitis B,is very prevalent today in hospitals and doctors' offices as a result ofthe use of hypodermic syringes. The Centers for Disease Control inAtlanta has extensively studied accidental syringe sticking incidentsand have logged where most of the accidents occur and to whom. TheCenters' records indicate that nurses experience more incidents thanmost other medical personnel.

Recovering the needle with the plastic tip cover provided with thesyringe after use has not solved the problem because the cover can slipoff or a person can be stuck by merely attempting to place the cover onthe needle. Other means presently utilized for the disposal of usedsyringes still leave the steel of the hypodermic needle on the syringe,thereby exposing the waste handlers to the possibility of being pricked.The present syringe disposal systems are also very expensive.

The prior art includes the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,628,169 which describes an apparatus for melting only the tip of theneedle, with the remainder of the metal on the syringe being detached bya separate operation. The remaining metal portion may still becontaminated. That system still leaves the possibility of the personcollecting the remaining needle portion being exposed to microorganisms.Also, any infectious fluids are still available to flow out of thenow-open plastic portion of the syringe.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,934 discloses a needle destroying apparatus whichutilizes converging electrodes. The hypodermic syringe is inserted intothe apparatus in a vertical orientation and is either slid onto a bottomelectrode ramp or an electrode that can slide toward the bottomelectrode thereby destroying the needle. However, because of thevertical orientation of the needle as it is inserted into the apparatus,the burnt needle tends to bend away from the ramp and loses contact withthe bottom electrode. In addition, because of the vertical orientation,the burnt needle tends to collect on the bottom electrode therebyfouling the surface of the bottom electrode.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,706 teaches a device that both melts the needle andshears the needle portion from the syringe. This particular patent iscommonly owned with the present application and shares some of the samefeatures. It does not, however, accept the newer generation of pen-typehypodermic syringes.

What is needed is a needle destruction apparatus that is easy to operateand will reliably and efficiently destroy the needle of a pen-typehypodermic syringe. What is further needed is an apparatus that can beused in the clinic that can be used for long periods of time before ithas to be taken apart and cleaned. An apparatus is needed that willtreat used syringes to prevent storage of live viruses and othermicroorganisms in unsealed containers at room temperature, causingunwanted aerosol vapor to contaminate room air breathed by health careworkers and patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for destroying a syringe needlecomprising a housing and a rotating needle carriage that receives aneedle in a loading position. The needle carriage is rotated downwardlyto a cut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contactblades pinch the needle which electrically connects the positive andnegative terminals of a battery. Current flows through the contactblades and the needle, thereby melting the needle. A slight furtherrotation of the needle carriage causes the contact blades to sever aportion of the needle. The severed portion of the needle then falls intoa waste compartment in the bottom of the housing. When the remainder ofthe needle is removed from the needle carriage, the needle carriagerotates upwardly and returns to the loading position.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a safe,low cost, efficient and easy to use device for sterilizing anddestroying the metal needle of a hypodermic syringe, thereby killing anyinfectious microorganism that may be present in or on the needle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in partial cross-section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a third alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the device of FIG.11;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fifth alternativeembodiment of the present invention, with part of the housing removedfor detail;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the device of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 13 withthe needle carriage in the loading position;

FIG. 16 is partial cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 13 withthe needle carriage in the cut-off position;

FIG. 17 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a sixth alternativeembodiment with the needle carriage in the loading position;

FIG. 18 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.17, with the needle carriage in the cut-off position; and

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh alternativeembodiment of the needle carriage of the device shown in FIG. 17,showing the large port and insert.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the needle carriage withthe insert in place for use with a conventional hypodermic syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus for destroying theneedle portion of a hypodermic syringe. The present invention is, inpart, an apparatus that is capable of simultaneously sterilizing anddestroying the needle portion of a hypodermic syringe and therebyeliminating the risk of infection by a microorganism that may be presentin or on the needle.

When a syringe is inserted into the apparatus described herein, theneedle is heated to a temperature of at least 1750° C. This temperatureis capable of inactivating any virus, bacteria, yeast or othermicroorganism. In addition to being heated, the needle is melted so thatit is removed from the remaining portion of the syringe. The nubremaining after the needle is melted and sealed so that no fluid canleak from the syringe.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the numeral 10 denotes generally thepresent invention which comprises a housing 12, a burning chamber 14,and waste collection means 16. The housing 12 can be made of anysuitable material such as metal, plastic or the like so long as thematerial is capable of maintaining structural integrity if exposed tosparks caused by the melting needle. The housing 12 is generally definedwith side surfaces 18, end surfaces 20, a top surface 22, and a bottomsurface 24. It is to be understood that the apparatus according to thepresent invention can be mounted to a wall or a surface such as thebottom of a wall cabinet or set on a counter.

The burning chamber 14 occupies the forward end of the housing 12 andpreferably is constructed of a heat resistant material. The burningchamber 14 is defined by side chamber walls 25, a chamber top 26, rearchamber wall 28, front chamber wall 30 and a preferably non-verticalfront face wall 32. A first electrical contact 33 is mounted on thefront face wall 32. As seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the first electricalcontact 33 is a conical shaped port 40 which is mounted to the frontface wall 32 of the burning chamber 14 by means of screws 5. The firstelectrical contact 33 is connected by wire 51 to a battery 78. The port40 tapers downwardly in the outer center surface and has an opening 37disposed therethrough. The port 40 and opening 37 are dimensional toreceive the metal needle portion 42, the neck portion 44, shoulderportion 46, and body portion 48 of a hypodermic needle 50.

A second electrical contact is a block 53 mounted within the burningchamber 14 to the rear chamber wall 28 and top 26 by means of mountingbrackets 55 and screws 57. The block 53 is rectangular in shape with itslower surface 54 aligned perpendicular with the front face wall 32. Thecenterline of the lower surface 54 is coaxial with the centerline of theopening 37 of the port 40. Wire 52 connects the block 53 with theelectrical circuitry within the housing 12 through rear chamber wall 28.The block 53 is preferably made of carbon.

The diameter of opening 37 can be of such size as to accept conventional22-, 18-, 14- or any other gauge stainless steel needles therethrough.Additionally, the device 10 may incorporate a plurality of needlereceiving means so that a single device 10 may be used to destroy anumber of different style and diameter needles, such as, for example,intravenous, butterfly and catheter placement needles.

The optional waste collection means 16 is disposed beneath and incommunication with the burn chamber 14 and comprises a tray 70 that isslidably removable from housing 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The tray 70receives therein the melted needles that result from the operation ofthe device 10.

The tray 71 is retained within the housing 12 by means of a locking arm72 that is operatively connected to the keylock 74. The keylock 74 is asafety feature, ensuring that only authorized personnel open the device10. By turning a key (not shown), the user turns the key lock 74 andreleases the locking arm 72 and allows the tray 70 to be removed.

A toggle switch 75 is mounted to the front face 32 of the housing 12. AnLED light 76 is also positioned on the front face 32 and when switch 75is moved to the “ON” position the light is illuminated. The power sourceis normally a 12-volt battery 78 that is rechargeable through chargingopening 80 in side surface 18. The battery 78 is housed on the rear ofthe burning chamber 14 and is contained by rear chamber wall 28, batteryside walls 85, battery rear wall 87, battery top wall 88, and batterybottom wall 89. A second LED light, not shown, may be provided toindicate that the charging circuit is in use. A conventional breaker canbe used in place of the fuse.

An electric fan 60 shown in FIG. 5 is mounted to one of o the sidechamber walls 25, adjacent to the tray 70. Wire 51 connects the fan withthe electrical circuitry within the housing 12 through the rear chamberwall 28. Thus, the fan is activated when the switch 75 is moved to the“ON” position.

Operation

To operate the device 10, the user flips the switch 74 to the “ON”position, which in turn allows electricity to flow from battery 78 tothe first electrical contact 33 and to block 53. The light 76 will alsobe illuminated, indicating that the device 10 is operative. The fan 60will also be energized.

The user inserts the needle 50 into the port 40 until the shoulder 46engages the port. When the length of the needle 50 is enclosed withinthe burning chamber 14, the user causes the length of the needle tocontact the block 53. Because the shoulder portion 46 is in contact withthe first electrical contact 33, the needle portion 42 then acts as ajumper between contact 33 and block 53, closing the circuit and meltingthe needle portion 42. The majority of the metal needle portion 46 meltsoff of the needle 50 and falls into the tray 70.

Once the needle 50 is sealed, the user withdraws the needle 50 from thedevice 10. Another needle 50 may be inserted into the device 10 or thedevice 10 can be de-energized by turning the switch 75 to the “OFF”position. The light 76 will then go off, indicating that the device 10is inoperative.

Waste material in tray 70 can be removed by turning the keylock 74 tothe “UNLOCK TRAY” position. The contents of the tray 70 are sterile, sothey can be disposed of as normal waste materials. The tray 70 willcontain no contaminated metal so incidents of infection will beeliminated. The remaining body portion 48 of the needle 50 can berecycled as sterilized plastic.

First Alternative Embodiment

As seen more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first alternative embodimentis similar to the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 except that thefirst electrical contact 33 is mounted on the front face wall 32 of theburning chamber 14 and comprises a fixed plate 36. A sliding plate 38 isin sliding relation within the fixed plate 36. A conical shaped port 40is threadably mounted on the sliding plate 38. The port 40 tapersdownwardly through the sliding plate 38 which exits the face of fixedplate 36. The fixed plate 36 has an opening 37 centrally disposedtherethrough. The port 40 and opening 37 are dimensional to receive themetal needle portion 42, the neck portion 44, shoulder portion 46, andbody portion 48 of a hypodermic needle 50. Wire 51 connects the fixedplate 36 with the electrical circuitry within housing 12 through rearchamber wall 28.

The second electrical contact 51 is a block 53 and is structured in thesame manner described above for the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

In operation, the first alternative embodiment operates initiallysimilar to the embodiment described above. To operate the device 10, theuser flips the switch 74 to the “ON” position, which in turn allowselectricity to flow from battery 78 to the first electrical contact 33and to block 53. The light 76 will also be illuminated, indicating thatthe device 10 is operative. The fan 60 will also be energized.

The user inserts the needle 50 into the port 40 until the shoulder 46engages the port. When the length of the needle 50 is enclosed withinthe burning chamber 14, the user causes the length of the needle tocontact the block 53. Because the shoulder portion 46 is in contact withthe first electrical contact 33, the needle portion 42 then acts as ajumper between contact 33 and block 53, closing the circuit and meltingthe needle portion 42. The majority of the metal needle portion 46 meltsoff of the needle 50 and falls into the tray 70.

To seal off any remaining portion of the needle, the user moves the bodyof the syringe upwardly while shoulder 46 of the needle is flush againstthe port. This upward motion causes the sliding plate 38 to slide withinthe fixed plate 36. Any remaining metal on the needle 50 seals as itcontacts solid surface of the fixed plate 36 above the opening 37 andseals the needle. While in operation, the optional fan 60 draws anyunpleasant odors and smoke resulting from the molten metal out of theburn chamber and disperses the odors through a filter into theatmosphere.

Second Alternative Embodiment

A second alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In lieu ofthe first electrical contact being an opening 37 on a sliding plate 38,it is contemplated that alternatively the first electrical contactcomprise a pair of opposed, springloaded cylinders 90. Each of thecylinders 90 is mounted within a cylinder housing 91. The cylinderhousing 91 has a chamber 92 that receives a spring 93 and the pin 90.The cylinder housings 91 are mounted in opposed relation to each otherto the front face wall 32. Wires 56, 58 connect the cylinders 90 withthe electric circuitry within the housing 12 through the rear chamberwall 28. The electric contact is made when pins contact the needle as itpasses through the opening 37 and into the burning chamber 14.

Third Alternative Embodiment

A third alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. The third alternativeembodiment is similar to the preferred embodiment discussed above exceptfor the opening 37. It is contemplated that the opening 37 may bedog-legged. The alternative embodiment in FIG. 9 has a port 40 and astepped channel 95. The channel 95 has a first length 96 connected to asecond parallel length 97. The lengths 96, 97 are not coaxial. When theneedle 50 is inserted in the port 40, the needle must pass through bothlengths of the channel thus better ensuring electrical contact at thatpoint. It must be noted that the degree of offset between the first 96and second 97 lengths of the channel 95 cannot be greater than thechannel diameter. This is to enable the needle 50 to pass through thechannel 95 in a direction substantially perpendicular with the frontface wall 32 and to enable the length of the needle to contact thesecond electrical contact 52.

Fourth Alternative Embodiment

A fourth alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11-13. Thisalternative embodiment is directed to the bending of the remainingneedle after the majority of its length has melted. The fourthalternative embodiment is similar to the preferred embodiment in that Ithas a housing 12, second electrical contact 52, burning chamber 14. andbattery 78.

The fourth alternative embodiment; however, has a different mechanismfor receiving the needle and for finishing the needle butt at the end ofthe melting process. The fourth alternative embodiment includes an innerdisc 100 threadably mounted to the front face wall 32 of the burningchamber 14. An axle 101 extends outwardly from the center of the face ofthe inner disc 100. Two pins 102 extend outwardly from opposite halvesof the face of the inner disc 100. A kidney shaped hole 103 is cut fromthe inner disc 100. An outer disc 104 is rotatably mounted on the innerdisc 108 by means of the axle 101. An inner sleeve 105 is fixedlymounted to the inner surface of the outer disc 104. The kidney shapedpiece 103 receives the inner sleeve 105 and enables the inner sleeve torotate over a limited distance. A cup 106 is mounted to the outersurface of the outer disc 104. The cup supports and receives the syringeshoulder while the needle is inserted into the burning chamber 14. Apair of small, kidney shaped openings 107 are located on opposite halvesof the inner face of the outer disc 104. The openings 107 receive thepins 102 mounted to the inner disc. The pins 102 provide support andenable the outer disc to rotate over a limited distance relative to theinner disc 100. The distance of rotation for the outer disc 104 isdefined by the arc in the openings 107 and the kidney shaped piece 103.

In operation, the needle 50 is inserted and melted as discussed abovefor the preferred embodiment. After most of the length of needle hasmelted, any remaining needle is sealed by rotating the outer disc 104.This causes the needle 50 to bend as it contacts the outer surface ofthe inner disc 100.

It is to be understood that an important part of the present inventionis preferred that the needle be inserted in a non-vertical orientation.The angle from the vertical can be between 10° and 90° with the morepreferred angle range of between 20° and 75° with the most preferredangle range of approximately 45°.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above are thepreferred embodiments, falling within the scope of the appended claims,and that various other alternative embodiments are contemplated. Forexample the angle of the front face wall 32 may be altered toaccommodate the user. Moreover, it is contemplated that the battery 78may be stored below the burning chamber 14 for wallmounted units.

Fifth Alternative Embodiment

A fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 13-16. In general, this alternativeembodiment includes a rotating needle carriage that receives a needle ina loading position. The needle carriage is rotated downwardly to acut-off position. At the cut-off position, two opposing contact bladespinch the needle, which electrically connects the positive and negativeterminals of a battery. Current flows through the contact blades and theportion of the needle between the contact blades, thereby melting theneedle and severing the metal needle from the syringe. The severedportion of the needle then falls into a waste compartment under thecontact blades. When the syringe is removed from the needle carriage,the needle carriage rotates upwardly and returns to the loadingposition.

The apparatus 200 of this alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 13. The apparatus includes a housing 201. Thehousing preferably includes an essentially flat bottom surface 202, thusallowing the apparatus to be plated upright on a table, countertop, orother similar surface. As is shown in FIG. 14, located near the upperportion of the apparatus are a left upper side wall 203 and a rightupper side wall 204. A waste compartment 207, generally comprising ahollow chamber, is located within the housing. The upper portion of thewaste compartment 207 is defined by an opening 208. A needle carriage,generally shown at 210 in FIG. 13 is rotatably connected between theupper side walls 203 and 204.

The needle carriage 210 includes a generally convex outer surface 212.Pins 214 rotatably connect the needle carriage to the upper side walls203 and 204. A port 215 for receiving a needle is provided in the needlecarriage 210. At the outermost edge of the port 215, i.e., where theport intersects the convex outer surface 212 of the needle carriage, theport includes a wide opening 215 a (FIG. 14). The wide opening 215 a ofthe port 215 allows the port to accept the neck and shoulder portions ofa hypodermic syringe. The port tapers to a smaller opening 215 b (FIG.14) dimensional to receive the metal needle portion of a hypodermicsyringe.

The needle carriage 210 includes an integrally formed carriage arm 216.The carriage arm 216 extends from the port 215 toward the rear of thehousing 201. A door 218 is connected to the needle carriage 210 and issituated generally opposite the port 215. The door 218 is of a dimensionas to entirely cover the opening 208 to the waste compartment 207 whenthe needle carriage is in the loading position shown in FIG. 13 and FIG.15.

Also attached to the needle carriage is a first contact blade 220. Thefirst contact blade 220 is formed of electrically conductive materialand is secured to the lower end of the needle carriage 210, preferablyby screws 222. Any other suitable means of securing the first contactblade 220 to the needle carriage 210 may be utilized instead of screws.The first contact blade 220 includes an outer edge 220 a that extendstoward the outer surface of the needle carriage. The first contact blade220 also includes an inner, sharpened edge 220 b that extends inwardly,away from the outer surface of the needle carriage 210.

A contact strip 224, made of electrically conductive material, isconnected to a portion of the housing 201 below the needle carriage 210.The contact strip 224 is located on the housing 201 in such a manner asto allow edge 224 a of the contact strip to be contacted by the outeredge 220 a of the first contact blade 220 when the needle carriage 210is rotated downwardly, as shown in FIG. 16. The contact strip 224 iselectrically connected to a first terminal of a battery (not shown)located within the housing 201.

A second contact blade 230 is located within the upper portion of thehousing 201. The second contact blade 230 is made of electricallyconductive material and is fixedly secured within the housing 201 in agenerally vertical orientation. The lower edge 230 a of the secondcontact blade 230 has a sharpened edge. The second contact blade 230 iselectrically connected to a second terminal on the battery (not shown).The second contact blade 230 has a slot (not shown) therein throughwhich one end of a torsion spring 236 may be situated. The location andorientation of the torsion spring 236 is shown in FIG. 15. The other endof the torsion spring 236 is fixedly secured within the housing 201. Thetorsion spring 236 provides constant pressure against the second contactblade 230 to maintain the needle carriage 210 in the loading position inthe absence of any downward pressure. Connected near the upper edge ofthe second contact blade 230 is a carriage stop 232.

In operation, a hypodermic syringe is inserted, needle first, into theport 215 in the needle carriage 210 with the needle carriage at theloading position, as shown in FIG. 15. The needle is fully inserteduntil the neck and shoulder portions of the syringe contact wide opening215 a of the port 215 and can be inserted no further. When the needle isfully inserted, the needle passes between the sharpened edges 220 b, 230a of the first and second contact blades 220 and 230, respectively.

With the needle remaining fully inserted, the syringe is moved downwardso that the needle carriage 210 is rotated downwardly to the cut-offposition, seen in FIG. 16. Preferably, the angular distance between theloading and cut-off positions is approximately 60°. The torsion spring236 applies pressure on the needle carriage 210 to maintain it in theloading position. However, rotation of the needle carriage 210 is causedwhen sufficient downward pressure is alerted on the needle carriage toovercome the resistant force exerted by the torsion spring 236. Downwardpressure is exerted on the needle carriage 210 through the neck andshoulder portions of the syringe by the person holding the syringe inthe port. As the needle carriage is 10 rotated downwardly, the needle isprevented from rotating by contact with the sharpened edge 230 a of thesecond contact blade 230. Thus, the metal portion of the needle is bentnear the base of the needle, as seen in FIG. 16.

When the needle carriage is rotated downwardly to the cut-off position,as seen in FIG. 16, the outer edge 220 a of the first contact blade 220contacts the contact strip 224 and the inner, sharpened edge 220 b ofthe first contact blade 220 contacts the needle. Therefore, when theneedle carriage is rotated to the cut-off position, an electricalcircuit is formed by the battery (not shown), the contact strip 224, thefirst contact blade 220, the metal needle, and the second contact blade230. Electrical current flowing from the battery through the circuit isof such an amperage as to melt the metal portion of the needle betweencontact blades 228 and 230. A slight additional downward rotation of theneedle carriage 210 causes the sharpened edges of the first and secondcontact blades to pinch the metal needle, shearing the needle at thepinch point.

When the needle carriage 210 is rotated to the cutoff position shown inFIG. 16, the door 218 is rotated away from the opening 208 to the wastecompartment 207. Therefore, when the melted metal needle is sheared bythe first and second contact blades, the severed portion of the needlefalls downwardly, through the opening into the waste compartment. Afterthe needle is melted and severed at the pinch point, the hypodermicsyringe is removed from the port 215 in the needle carriage 210.Removing the syringe from the needle carriage removes the downwardpressure on the needle carriage. With no downward pressure on the needlecarriage, the torsion spring 236 exerts an upward force on the needlecarriage. The torsion spring therefore causes the needle carriage 210 torotate upwardly to the loading position. Rotation of the needle carriage210 is halted at the loading position by the carriage stop 232, whichcontacts the carriage arm 216 to prevent any further upward rotation ofthe needle carriage. When the needle carriage 210 is at the loadingposition, the door 218 is situated over the opening 208 to the wastecompartment 207, thereby ensuring that the severed needles remain in thewaste compartment.

Sixth Alternative Embodiment

A sixth alternative embodiment is described below with reference toFIGS. 17-19. The advent of hypodermic syringes in a pen-type deliverysystem has simplified many uses for hypodermic syringes, such as thedelivery of insulin. The pen-type devices are generally made to fit in ashirt pocket, pocketbook, purse, or the like. They can be made todeliver a single dose of a particular medicament, multiple doses, and/ordoses of varying volume. While there are many manufacturers of thepen-type devices, they generally all provide a needle, a storagereservoir, a delivery means for the medication, and may include ameasuring capability for varying the volume of medication dispensed. Assuch, the pen-type devices have similar dimensional characteristics,regardless of the particular manufacturer. Given the use to which thepen-type hypodermic syringe is directed, i.e., storing multiple small,or single large doses of a particular medication, the overall outsidediameter of such devices is typically greater than a conventionalsingle-dose hypodermic syringe. As such, pen-type devices are too largeto be received by port 215. This situation is addressed by the sixthalternative embodiment.

The sixth alternative embodiment is designed to accommodate thedimensions of pen-type hypodermic syringes and to accomplish theelectrical destruction and removal of the needle. Where components ofthis embodiment are the same as the fifth alternative embodiment, thesame description of the parts and the same numerals are used to identifythe components. As shown in FIG. 17, a port 715 is provided in theneedle carriage 210. At the outermost edge of the port 715, i.e., wherethe port intersects the convex outer surface 212 of the needle carriage,the port includes a wide opening 715 a, which is wider than opening 215a, shown and described in conjunction with the previous (fifth)embodiment. This wider opening 715 a of the port 715 allows the port toaccept the neck and shoulder portion of a pen-type hypodermic syringe777. The opening 715 a has a dimension sufficient to accept the neck andshoulder portion, whether the exemplary pen-type hypodermic syringe isround or multifaceted. The port tapers to the same smaller opening 215 b(FIG. 14), dimensional to receive the metal needle of the pen-typehypodermic syringe.

Once the pen-type syringe 777 is inserted into port 715 as shown in FIG.17, the operation of the needle carriage 210 is the same as describedabove in relation to the fifth alternative embodiment. With the pen-typesyringe and needle fully inserted, the needle passes between thesharpened edges 220 b, 230 a of the first and second contact blades 220and 230, respectively.

With the needle remaining fully inserted, the syringe is moved downwardso that the needle carriage 210 is rotated downwardly to the cut-offposition, seen in FIG. 18. Preferably, the angular distance between theloading and cut-off positions is approximately 60°. A torsion spring 236applies pressure on the needle carriage 210 to maintain it in theloading position. However, rotation of the needle carriage 210 is causedwhen sufficient downward pressure is exerted on the needle carriage toovercome the resistant force exerted by the torsion spring 236. Downwardpressure is exerted on the needle carriage 210 through the neck andshoulder portions of the pen-type syringe by the person holding thesyringe in the port 715. As the needle carriage is rotated downwardly,the needle is prevented from rotating by contact with the sharpened edge230 a of the second contact blade 230. Thus, the metal portion of theneedle is bent near the base of the needle as seen in FIG. 18.

When the needle carriage is rotated downwardly to the cut-off position,as seen in FIG. 18, the outer edge 220 a of the first contact blade 220contacts the contact strip 224 and the inner, sharpened edge 220 b ofthe first contact blade 220 contacts the needle. Therefore, when theneedle carriage is rotated to the cut-off position, an electricalcircuit is formed by the battery (not shown), the contact strip 224, thefirst contact blade 220, the metal needle, and the second contact blade230. Electrical current flowing from the battery through the circuit isof such an amperage as to melt the metal portion of the needle betweencontact blades 220, 230. A slight additional downward rotation of theneedle carriage 210 causes the sharpened edges of the first and secondcontact blades to pinch the metal needle, shearing the needle at thepinched point.

When the needle carriage 210 is rotated to the cut-off position shown inFIG. 18, the door 218 is rotated away from the opening 208 to the wastecompartment 207. Therefore, when the melted metal needle is sheared bythe first and second contact blades, the severed portion of the needlefalls downwardly, through the opening into the waste compartment.

After the needle is melted and severed at the pinch point, the pen-typehypodermic syringe is removed from the port 715 in the needle carriage210. Removing the syringe from the needle carriage removes the downwardpressure on the needle carriage. With no downward pressure on the needlecarriage, the torsion spring 236 exerts an upward force on the needlecarriage. The torsion spring therefore causes the needle carriage 210 torotate upwardly to the loading position. Rotation of the needle carriage210 is halted at the loading position by the carriage stop 232, whichcontacts the carriage arm 216 to prevent any further upward rotation ofthe needle carriage. When the needle carriage 210 is at the loadingposition, the door 218 is situated over the opening 208 to the wastecompartment 207 thereby ensuring that the severed needles remain in thewaste compartment.

Seventh Alternative Embodiment

A seventh alternative embodiment of the present device is shown in FIG.19 and FIG. 20. As described hereinabove, with reference to the sixthalternative embodiment, the needle carriage 210 of FIG. 17 has arelatively wide port 715 that is designed to accept the neck andshoulders of a pen-type hypodermic syringe. If a conventional hypodermicsyringe is used and has to be destroyed, the wide opening 715 willaccept the much smaller conventional hypodermic syringe as well as thelarger pen-type hypodermic syringe. However, the smaller conventionalsyringe would be subject to a significant amount of play with the wideropening, which could possibly lead to some difficulty in use. Toalleviate any such concerns, an insert 902 is provided. The insert has aslightly smaller dimension than the dimension of the port 715. Thisallows insert 902 to nest inside port 715, with perfect alignment beingassured by the provision of a key 904 which is received in a slot 906formed in the wide opening 715 a of the port 715. Additional oralternate alignment means can also be utilized, or none at all, withalignment simply assured due to the nesting of the insert in the port715. With the insert in place, the interior dimension 908 of insert 902allows the port 903 to accept the neck and shoulder portion of aconventional hypodermic syringe 787. The insert is easily removed andreplaced, allowing the modified device to be used with hypodermicsyringes having a variety of outer dimensions, while ensuring their safedisposal. The operation then proceeds as described hereinabove withreference to the device of the sixth alternative embodiment and FIGS. 17and 18.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the disclosed embodimentsof the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior artdescribed hereinabove. From the description of the embodiments herein,equivalents of the embodiments shown therein will suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art and way of constructing other embodiments ofthe present invention will suggest themselves to practitioners of theart. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be limited onlyby the claims below.

At least the following is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for removing theneedle portion of a pen-type hypodermic syringe comprising: a housing; aneedle carriage for receiving a needle in a loading position, saidneedle carriage being rotatably connected to the housing from theloading position to a cut-off position, the needle carriage including awide diameter port for accepting a pen-type hypodermic syringe; a firstcontact blade connected to the needle carriage; and a second contactblade secured within the housing; wherein said needle carriage and saidcontact blades are oriented such that when said needle carriage isrotated from the loading position to the cut-off position, the first andsecond contact blade each contact the needle.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the first and second contact blades sever a portion of theneedle when the needle carriage is rotated to the cut-off position. 3.The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a waste compartment locatedwithin the housing for receiving the severed portion of the needle, theupper portion of the waste compartment having an opening locatedgenerally beneath the needle carriage.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3further comprising a door connected to the needle carriage, wherein saiddoor is of a dimension to cover the opening to the waste compartmentwhen the needle carriage is in the loading position.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein said door does not cover the opening to the wastecompartment when the needle carriage is in the cut-off position.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the second contact blade prevents themovement of a portion of the needle, thus causing bending of the needlewhen the needle carriage is rotated from the loading position to thecut-off position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: anelectrically conductive contact strip secured to the housing such thatthe first contact blade contacts the contact strip when the needlecarriage is in the cut-off position; and a battery, the first terminalof which is connected to the contact strip and the second terminal ofwhich is connected to the second contact blade.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein the battery provides sufficient current to melt aportion of the needle when the needle carriage is in the cut-offposition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a torsionspring connected to the housing, wherein the torsion spring providespressure against the needle carriage to maintain the needle carriage inthe loading position in the absence of a rotational force applied to theneedle carriage.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wide port inthe needle carriage includes a reduced interior diameter insert forreceiving the neck and shoulder portions of a conventional hypodermicsyringe.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angular distancebetween the loading position and the cut-off position is approximately60 degrees.
 12. A method for removing the needle portion of a pen-typehypodermic syringe, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a needlecarriage having a port with a wide diameter sufficient to accept a neckand shoulder portion of a pen-type hypodermic syringe. (b) Inserting aneedle into the needle carriage in a loading position, the needlecarriage being rotatably connected to a housing; (c) rotating the needlecarriage from the loading position to a cut-off position; (d) causing afirst contact blade and a second contact blade to contact the needlewhen the needle carriage is in the cut-off position; (e) causing anelectrical current to pass through the first contact blade, the needle,and the second contact blade to melt the needle; and (f) severing aportion of the needle with the first and second contact blades.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising the step of retaining the severedportion of the needle in a waste compartment.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the opening to the waste compartment is covered by a doorconnected to the needle carriage when the needle carriage is in theloading position and is not covered by the door when the needle carriageis in the cut-off position.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein duringthe rotating, step, the second contact blade prevents the movement of aportion of the needle thus causing bending of the needle when the needlecarriage is rotated from the loading position to the cut-off position.16. The method of claim 12 wherein the electrical current is provided bya battery, the first terminal of which is connected to a contact stripthat contacts the first contact blade when the needle carriage isrotated to the cut-off position and the second terminal of which isconnected to the second contact blade.
 17. The method of claim 12wherein the needle carriage includes a wide diameter port and a reduceddiameter insert for receiving the neck and shoulder portions of aconventional hypodermic syringe.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein theangular distance between the loading position and the cut-off positionis approximately 60 degrees.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein theinserting step includes inserting the syringe needle into a port in theneedle carriage such that the neck and shoulder portions of the syringecontact the port.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the rotating stepis performed by exerting downward pressure on the needle carriagethrough the neck and shoulder portions of the syringe.
 21. An apparatusfor removing the needle portion of a syringe comprising: a pen-typehypodermic syringe having a neck and shoulder portion that are wider indiameter than a conventional hypodermic syringe; a housing; a needlecarriage for receiving a needle in a loading position, said needlecarriage being rotatably connected to the housing from the loadingposition to a cut-off position, the needle carriage including a widediameter port for accepting a pen-type hypodermic syringe; a firstcontact blade connected to the needle carriage; and a second contactblade secured within the housing; wherein said needle carriage and saidcontact blades are oriented such that when said needle carriage isrotated from the loading position to the cut-off position, the first andsecond contact blade each contact the needle.
 22. The apparatus of claim21 and including an insert having an outside diameter that fits insidesaid wide diameter port and an inside diameter that is narrower toaccept the neck and shoulder portion of a conventional hypodermicsyringe.